I was certain my face was the reddest it had ever been in my life.
“Shade?” Briggita asked, giving me a concerned look. “Is everything okay? You’re really flushed right now.”
“It’s fine,” I squeaked, grabbing a sandwich and stuffing it into my mouth so I couldn’t answer any more questions.
Taffy raised a skeptical eyebrow as she gave me a knowing grin.Crap.
***
The girls stayed behind to help us finish getting ready after we finished lunch. Briggita and Zia helped me with my makeup while Alma helped Taffy with her hair.
I smiled as they shared stories and jokes, feeling more at ease than I had anywhere outside of Caelan’s arms.
“Okay, what do you think?” Briggita asked as she spun me around to face the mirror.
I gasped when I saw my reflection. They’d kept my makeup light, adding a delicate shimmer to my eyes and a soft pink color to my lips. It was elegant and bright, a perfect complement to my dress.
“It’s incredible! I can’t believe that’s me!” I murmured.
“Our alpha is in for a real treat,” Zia added with a sassy snap of her fingers. “He’ll forget all about that cherry pie when he catches sight of you.”
Taffy came over with my dress.
“Oh, I doubt that,” she said with a coy smile. “Come on. We’ve got to get you downstairs. It’s time.”
I stood, letting them help me into my gown and heels.There’s no turning back now. By the end of the night, I’ll be officially marked and mated.
The Marking Ceremony
SHADE
Taffy walked me through the order of events as the four of us headed downstairs.
By tradition, I was supposed to be one of the last to arrive. Caelan would greet guests as they headed into the ballroom where Luna Maty would entertain them until Caelan and I were ready to make our big entrance. Then his father would announce us just before the ceremony.
“After that, you guys will be free to slip away whenever you want to complete the marking,” Taffy added as we reached the ground floor. “Then when you return, Alpha Leal will introduce you guys a second time. Okay?”
I nodded, even though the thought filled me with anxious, giddy feelings. I was utterly mortified that everyone would know exactly what we were going to be up to when we left the party, but I was also so ready to be Caelan’s mate.
“I promise you, Shade. Everything is going to be great,” Taffy assured, squeezing my hand gently.
“I know,” I replied. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous. This just isn’t what I pictured.”
“Don’t let Luna Maty’s preparations get in your head. She’s always wanted a big event for Caelan. Some mates do it more casually. Either way, it’s just a party to celebrate your love. That’s all,” she chuckled. “And that man adores you. He’d be perfectly happy if you were the only one here.”
“He would, wouldn’t he?” I giggled.
“Absolutely,” she agreed. “He’s wrapped around your little finger. I swear he’s even worse than Dillon was, and let me tell you, that man was stuck to me like glue when we first mated.”
“That’s right,” Briggita laughed. “He wouldn’t leave you alone for more than five minutes.”
“Caelan…uh, he did sleep in my room last night,” I admitted shyly.
“That doesn’t surprise me at all,” she replied. “I honestly don’t know why Luna Maty bothered with that silly tradition. She knew he wouldn’t be able to resist.”
“He, uh, he slept on the couch,” I countered feebly. “We did try to respect it.”
“Well, at least you tried,” she joked with a roll of her eyes as the girls snickered. “Okay. We’ll be waiting for you inside. Caelan is in the parlor. See you in there.”
